The gravity of both acts were equal. They each betrayed the Christ. They each broke the heart of God for selfish gain. They each contributed to the most fateful moment in history by stabbing the Creator of the universe in the spinal chord.
The one that gets recognized for his betrayal, however, remains only Judas. Rarely does anyone give thought to the fact that Peter's treason was just as lethal to God's heart as Judas' kiss. The knife went just as deep, and Jesus died just as alone.
Peter? He denied Jesus out of embarrassment.
Judas? He denied Jesus out of greed.
If one were to ask me, I'd be just as tormented over both of these acts if I were on the receiving end. So what's the difference?
Well, after Jesus' death, one met a noose, and the other met a nosedive. Judas found no way to escape the reality of his betrayal rather than to end his life. Peter came to understand that the cross meant even his outright rejection of God's love could be forgiven, and he understood it enough to dive into the deep waters of the Galilee because the boat couldn't take him back fast enough to see His Risen Lord.
When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. (John 21)If you're a little like me, I reckon you tend to do a lot of backstabbing as well. If you're a lot like me, you're the kind of guy that breaks God's heart every day. There are two inevitable responses to this rejection of God's outpoured love on your life. You may either choose to run further from it, or embrace the fact that it is this love which sanctifies you.
You may choose to avoid God until after you've done "better" in your own efforts, effectively throwing a noose around the neck of your relationship. Or, after you've screwed up, you can choose to dive straight back into pursuing Him the first chance you get.
So which will you meet today? A noose, or a nosedive?
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